ES2942263T3 - Test apparatus for testing avionics equipment on the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

Test apparatus comprising: - a central computer-implemented test unit (12) having a plurality of software modules loaded thereon, each software module having a controller (14a) associated therewith, and configured, when is activated, to perform a respective specific test by simulating a predetermined condition, generating at least one stimulus signal and receiving response data; - a plurality of adapter units (16), each adapter unit being configured to connect between said central test unit (12) and a unit under test (18) to facilitate data transfer between them, where each adapter unit (16) is associated with a respective software module of said central test unit (12) and includes a data storage module having stored operational data configured to activate a specific software module, including a respective controller (14a), when connected and said operational data is transferred to said central test unit (12), in use, and each of said adapter units (16) is configured to effect data transfer between said respective specified software module, when activated, and said unit under test (18) transmitting said at least one received stimulus signal from said specified software module to said unit under test and transmitting said received response data from said unit under test to said specified software module; and - a user interface module (10) configured to output, in use, test data generated using said response data. and said unit under test (18) transmitting said at least one received stimulus signal from said specified software module to said unit under test and transmitting said received response data from said unit under test to said specified software module; and - a user interface module (10) configured to output, in use, test data generated using said response data. and said unit under test (18) transmitting said at least one received stimulus signal from said specified software module to said unit under test and transmitting said received response data from said unit under test to said specified software module; and - a user interface module (10) configured to output, in use, test data generated using said response data. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Test apparatus for testing avionics equipment on the ground

This invention relates generally to a test apparatus and, more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to a ground test platform system for avionics applications that can be adapted to provide a system test environment compatible with a specific unit under test.

It is well known in the field of, for example, avionics, to provide a customized test platform for performing a specified ground test with respect to an air vehicle or, more specifically, an element or component thereof. For example, one such known test platform for a military aircraft comprises a series of hydraulic rams and a software application configured to cause the rams to apply stimuli in the form of respective loads to the body of the aircraft through various points of pressure to simulate the demanding conditions likely to be encountered by such an aircraft during its lifetime. The aircraft body's reactions to applied stresses are measured in the form of feedback signals received via thousands of dedicated monitoring channels to assess how the aircraft reacts over time. In other words, the software application and associated hydraulic rams simulate the stresses encountered by the aircraft over many hours of “flight time” and their responses monitored, without the need for the aircraft to leave the ground.

More generally, ground testing in avionics is an essential element of all new aircraft designs, or an aircraft design that has undergone significant change, and all aircraft aspects, elements and systems are required to undergo rigorous testing. on the ground before it can be certified for flight. For many years, in this regard, avionics systems development, test and support has been based on the availability of suitable test apparatus including a mix of actual avionics hardware, software for simulation and stimulation, and a central acquisition and analysis of data. In general, each single-use test facility is configured to only perform a single test and can only test a single black box, so test engineers often have to work in a pattern of displacement to deal with the high demand.

Furthermore, the footprint of many such test platforms is large: the test platform described above, for example, fills a large room, so the associated infrastructure costs are high, which is especially disadvantageous in relation to testing platforms that are rarely used. In many known test platforms, such as the one described above, actual aircraft equipment is consumed and generated, which further increases costs and is particularly disadvantageous where such equipment is in short supply. Other disadvantages include the fact that the platform configuration can be difficult to maintain, and ongoing installation support costs are high. Obsolescence in a field of change is increasingly common and can also be expensive.

US-2012/042210 A1 describes a software-based customer relationship management system comprising an integrated test facility arranged to test software components within the system.

Document US-6269319 B1 describes a reconfigurable test station for aircraft components.

It is an object of aspects of the present invention to address at least some of these problems and, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a test apparatus for ground testing of avionics equipment according to claim 1.

In an illustrative embodiment, the central test unit may comprise three operational layers, where an interface between adjacent layers is defined to facilitate communication between them. The central test unit may comprise a first layer supporting a configurable user interface, a second layer including said plurality of software modules, and a third layer hosting said plurality of drivers. The third layer may additionally contain a platform configuration file for receiving and/or storing data representative of said unit under test and data representative of at least one of said activated software modules.

In an exemplary embodiment, the operational data stored in said data storage module may comprise data representative of at least one software module to be activated, data defining a mapping of said activated software module to said central test unit and data defining a mapping of said unit under test to said central test unit.

Each adapter unit comprises one or more physical connectors configured to connect said adapter unit to a respective unit under test.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an avionics ground test platform system comprising apparatus substantially as described above, wherein said ground avionics test modules software are each configured to perform an avionics ground test, and each said unit under test comprises an avionics black box.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter unit for testing apparatus substantially as described above, or a test platform system substantially as described above, comprising a housing having a first set of one or more external physical connectors configured to electrically connect said adapter unit to a specified unit under test, and a second set of one or more external physical connectors configured to electrically connect said adapter unit to said central test unit, said housing including an element data storage in which such operational data is stored.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second set of one or more external physical connectors may be configured to prevent incorrect mechanical connection of the adapter unit to said central test unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the second set of one or more external connectors may be further configured to restrict or prevent power transfer between said adapter unit and said central test unit, unless and until said adapter unit is properly connected to said adapter unit. central test unit. In an exemplary embodiment, the second set of one or more external connectors may comprise a two phase interlock circuit, configured to prevent incorrect mechanical connection of the adapter unit to said central test unit and/or monitor the integrity of a connection. between said adapter unit and said central test unit and prevent power transfer between them unless and until they are correctly connected. In a specific exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second set of external connectors comprises a plurality of connector units, each connector unit including a blanking pin configured for connection to a specific respective socket of said central test unit.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide a highly configurable, generic test facility that can be used to test virtually any black box (e.g., mission computer, fuel system, engine management system, etc.) from any platform (air, land, sea). It will be appreciated that the resulting test setup can therefore be used in many situations to achieve many objectives. For example, it can be used in advanced positions to support first- and second-line debugging and analysis of suspicious software; can be used to perform pre-integration testing (specifically, testing of vendor-supplied equipment before the equipment is integrated with other equipment and systems); it can also be used to host a mission computer during software qualification testing. It is also envisioned that a test facility could be used to test another similar test facility, or even one or more adapter units.

Several key benefits are obtained by illustrative embodiments of the invention. For example, there is a significant cost benefit to providing a generic and configurable test facility, compared to individual user platform facilities for each test required to be performed. Furthermore, several such generic test facilities can be configured to test a particular type of black box, thereby reducing reliance on a single user testing platform and accommodating high-demand applications. It is anticipated that once a test facility has been configured and verified, it can be used to test other similar test facilities. In fact, once a test installation and one or more adapter units have been configured and verified, it is anticipated that copies of the adapter unit(s) can be tested using the central test unit, simply by connecting the copied adapter unit to the central test unit and configuring a loop back circuit on connectors normally configured to connect to a black box.

Therefore, according to another aspect not forming part of the claimed invention, there is provided a method for testing a unit or system using apparatus substantially as described above, the method comprising:

- selecting an adapter unit corresponding to said unit or system and connecting said selected adapter unit between said central test unit and said unit or system to be tested;

- entering, or causing to be entered, via said user interface module, test data for said unit or system to be tested; and

- obtaining, through said user interface module, test data generated in this way.

According to yet another aspect not forming part of the claimed invention, there is provided a method for testing an adapter unit using apparatus substantially as described above, the method comprising:

- connecting an input end of said adapter unit to be tested to said central test unit;

- configuring, at an output end of said adapter unit to be tested, a loopback circuit; - inputting, or causing to be input, via said user interface module, test data for said adapter unit to be tested; and

- obtaining, through said user interface module, test data generated in this way.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention may include a highly configurable graphical user interface that may allow a user to immediately interact with a "software" with which they are considered familiar, thereby reducing unnecessary complexity. The footprint of the proposed generic test facility may be relatively very small compared to known test platforms, such as those described above. The proposed test facility can be relatively easily reconfigured as needed, and obsolescence protection, and associated costs, can be provided using COTS plug and play components, which have the added benefit of being able to provide user interface and capability. consistent and known.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following specific description, in which embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the three-layer design of a test platform system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the test platform system of Figure 1 in more detail;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating (in part) the hardware layout of a test platform system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of a two-phase blocking circuit for use in an adapter unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In general, the concept of a generic test setup according to exemplary embodiments of the invention is that it is a general purpose configurable unit that can take control of stimulation and monitor almost all electrical inputs/outputs of, for example, monitoring equipment. avionics.

Therefore, referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a test platform system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses a three-layer approach, with each layer communicating through defined interfaces. As shown in Figure 1, the system comprises a top layer 10, a middle layer 12, and a bottom layer 14.

The upper layer 10 provides the user interface and test application of choice, and can be selected from several proprietary modeling and test system configurations, such as National Instruments LabVIEW or TestStand and AirBus AIDASS, for example, which will be familiar to one skilled in the art.

The intermediate layer 12 provides the core capability of the platform and it is anticipated that this element may be common to all system deployments. Therefore, the middle layer 12 comprises a plurality of software modules (such as NI LabVIEW or other .net languages), each configured to recreate the electrical environment of the system operating a respective unit under test (UBT). The lower layer 14 comprises the drivers associated with each of the aforementioned software modules, and more specifically the signals that are required to adapt. All hardware supporting the system elements described above may comprise commercially available computers and distributed input/output (I/O) modules to allow the system to interface with external systems, as schematically illustrated in Figure 3, for example.

Referring further to Figure 2 of the drawings, it can be seen that the upper layer 10 provides the option for the user interface and test application to be configured as required. A user can select a number of different (known) modeling and test system configurations based on preference and familiarity. In Figure 2, AIDASS (AirBus), MaTE (Modelling and Test Environment) and OATS (Open Architecture Test System) are shown, but others will be known to an expert in architecture. art and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. A development application such as LabVIEW or TestStand (National Instruments) can also be provided as a selectable/configurable option.

As noted above, the middle layer 12 contains the generic platform software modules (which could, for example, be NI LabVIEW or other .net languages). A selected software module (for a specific application) is activated using the platform configuration and harness configuration files, which are configured to map a selected software module or “application” to the unit under test (UBT) 18. The UBP 18 may alternatively be referred to as a Line Replaceable Unit (URL) or a Line Replaceable Element (ERL).

The lower layer 14 contains the drivers 14a associated with the software modules in the middle layer 12. A platform configuration file 14b is also provided. To configure the system to perform a specific test, an adapter unit or "harness" 16 must be connected between the system (via the platform interface 20) and the ERL 18. The harness 16 is provided, on one side, with the specific physical connectors needed to connect it to the ERL 18, and may include connections to specialized equipment as required by the test. On the other hand, the necessary physical connectors are provided to facilitate a data transfer path between it and the system. It is essential that the external connections are not mismatched, which could otherwise result in damage to the ERL 18. Therefore, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes so-called two-phase locking functionality, which ensures mechanical integrity and electrical of the connections made. Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, a circuit for checking the integrity of the test platform system is schematically illustrated. More specifically, the physical connectors of a harness 16, for connection to the test platform system, are schematically illustrated. It can be seen that, in this exemplary embodiment, 24 connectors C1-C24 are provided, each connector including a blanking pin 100 configured to insert into a single socket on the test stand system such that the connectors cannot being physically connected to the wrong sockets, thus providing a first level of (mechanical) protection. Additionally, power is restricted when the lockout circuitry is not enabled, thus providing a second level of protection (electrical) to prevent damage to the ERL 18.

Therefore, a specific harness 16 is selected for a specific test and ERL type and is connected between the system and the ERL 18. The harness 16 also includes a data storage element (such as an integrated removable memory) in in which operational data is stored in the form of a harness configuration file. Once the harness 16 has been connected between the ERL 18 and the platform interface 20, the harness configuration data is transferred to the generic platform software layer 12. The harness configuration data includes data describing the connections of the physical harness, data representative of a selected software module or application (associated with that particular harness), and data representative of the specific test (associated with that particular area). Therefore, the harness configuration data can be used by the generic platform software layer 12 to select the required application and test. A platform configuration file 14b is selected/configured accordingly to configure the required driver(s) for the defined physical connections and associated signal types, thus completing the configuration process for mapping the selected application/test to the ERL 18.

The platform configuration file 14b is selected to suit the signal types required for the specific ERL 18. Thus, the system itself may comprise a plurality of selectable platform configuration files designed to accommodate and manage a respective plurality of common signal types, including (but not necessarily limited to):

- Static discretes

- Static analogues

- Dynamic analogues

- References

- RS232

- RS422/485

-Ethernet

- STANAG 3838

- STANAG 3910

-Arinc 429

- Video (eg image comparison, OCR, image capture)

In fact, ultimately, the platform configuration file will contain:

- data representative of the current physical platform, as configured and completed;

- data representative of the actual physical “subset” of the selected application(s); and

- data defining the "subset" of hardware available on the platform interface 20.

Each harness 16 may be "keyed", and the operating data or harness configuration file stored in a harness may therefore include key data that can be used by the platform software layer 12 to "unlock" a selected software module or application. As noted above, a two-stage lock circuit is provided within the harness 16 so that it is only enabled if it is properly connected to the test platform system, thus allowing key data to be transferred to the software layer of the test platform. platform 12. In addition, and as indicated above, the harness configuration file (which may be embedded in harness 16 on a flash drive, for example) contains:

- data defining the choice of test application;

- data defining the mapping of the application to the generic platform software 12; and

- data defining the mapping of the ERL 18 to the platform interface 20.

The user interface (provided by the upper layer 10) is configured to provide the user:

- command line control and signal monitoring;

- graphical user interface and signal monitoring;

- dynamic control of appropriate signals, including ramp-up, ramp-down, delta, sine, and square waveform;

- control of the test script and signal monitoring.

Therefore, going back to Figure 2 of the drawings, once a specified test system is set up, a user can enter the data values required for testing through the user interface provided by the upper layer 10. Additionally or alternatively, automated tests can be facilitated by having the default data values for the test entered from a file. Static control data values may be entered, as well as dynamic control data (or otherwise to be entered) in a manner known to a person skilled in the art. The user is also provided with the facility to write and enter test scripts to perform a repeatable set of tests. The data, thus entered, is transferred to the appropriate configured software module within the intermediate layer 12, which is configured to simulate the electrical environment of the specific PMU 18 by generating one or more stimulation signals in response to the input data. The stimulation signal is transmitted to the UBP/ERL 18, via the physical connections to the harness 16, and the response data generated by the ERL 18 is subsequently transmitted back to the application for processing. The results of such processing are transferred back to the upper layer 10 for analysis and display/notification to the user.

It is envisioned that a generic test setup according to a specific exemplary embodiment of the invention may provide dedicated means to control/monitor the following types of signals:

• Discrete I/O

° Entries (Write/Provide)

■ 96 (-30V..+30V) - including 0V

° Outputs (Reading)

■ 96 (-30V..+30V) - including 0V

bidirectional

• 178 (-10V..+10V) - including 0VAnalog I/O

° Single Analog Inputs (Write/Provide)

■ 38 x Type A (-10..10V)

° Differential Analog Inputs (Write/Provide)

° 24 High speed outputs (-16V..+16V) (Reading)

■ 48x Type A (-10..10V)

• Synchros

° 6 x Synchros (26V AC, Earth Neutral and Signal)

16xRS232

16xRS422

• 5 x Ethernet ports

• 2 channels of dual redundant MIL-STD-1553B Databus

• 1 dual redundant MIL-STD-1773 Databus channel

• 32 bi-directional channels of ARINC 429

• Relays: 100 latching relays

• 1 XYZ screen

• 3 RGB screens

28V 25A DC

115V 1A 3Phase AC 400 Hz

and a specific exemplary design (hardware) is partially illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. It will be appreciated that, in many ERLs, there are specialized or uncommon signal types. These are envisioned to interface directly with specialized equipment to stimulate or control the specialized signals.

It is envisioned that the described generic test setup may comprise a portable chassis requiring only a 230V 13A supply. So it can be used on a workbench or bolted to a shelf. It can also be planned to add an AC 115 V 400 Hz if necessary.

Therefore, aspects of the present invention combine, in a novel and innovative way, three key concepts that together provide a powerful solution to the problems described above in relation to prior art test stands and installations. , namely drastically lowering costs, as well as providing portability and versatility.

At the core of the embodiments of the invention, there is provided a test facility "superset" comprised of a central test unit into which a plurality of software modules are loaded, each software module configured to perform a specified test with respect to a specified type of black box. This central test unit, configured in this way, can be provided with all the design, set of drawings, tests, EMC, CE marking, documentation (including safety related documentation) and signatures required for state certification of any platform. test. The end user can then configure the central test unit to incorporate only one or more test facilities that require a specific application, which can result in a versatile platform capable of testing many different black boxes, or alternatively a single user platform. economical for a specific test situation. Envisioned tests include those associated with software qualification, system integration, and ground testing, but other applications will be apparent to one skilled in the art and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard. In fact, it is envisioned that once a test platform system has been configured and verified, it could be used in the manner described above to test another test platform system (i.e., the second test platform system becomes in the "black box"). Alternatively or additionally, a test stand system configured to test copies of harnesses previously tested in the manner described above can be used by simply connecting the harness to be tested to the central test unit, and providing a return circuit in loop in the physical connectors used in the previous examples to connect the harness 16 to the ERL 18. Also, throughout the above description, reference has been made to avionics and ground testing associated with the field of avionics, but a One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be equally applicable to platform testing in other fields (ie, land or sea, for example) and the present invention is not necessarily intended to be limited in this regard.

In addition, a versatile interface between the platform and the black boxes is foreseen. To facilitate this, embodiments of the present invention provide a plurality of adapter units or "harnesses", each harness being associated with a specific black box, and having the required connectors for that black box at one end with the connector for the installation of test generic platform (interface) on the other. All connectors may be keyed, with interlocks built in to ensure proper connection and electrical safety (eg the two-stage interlock functionality described above in connection with Figure 4 of the drawings).

Finally, a powerful graphical user interface (GUI) is envisioned, which can be easily and quickly configured to 'look' like any existing physical test set, thus providing the user with an interface with which they are immediately comfortable and familiar. In addition, it is anticipated that the central test facility will be able to use existing test scripts, where appropriate, but can also be configured to rewrite deprecated test indexes to a modern script while retaining their original functionality, as well as adding additional functionality, such as automated “black box” testing.

In general, significant benefits are perceived to be associated with various embodiments of the present invention, including the fact that it is cost-effective, modular, has a common core capability that can be configured, reconfigured and tailored according to requirements, can facilitate special optional extras when needed, it is extensible, versatile and mobile. Furthermore, the described system can also be used to test not only a black box or ERL, but also another test platform system or even a harness, as described above.

Claims (11)

Yo. Test apparatus for testing avionics equipment on the ground comprising: - a computer-implemented kernel test unit (12) having loaded therein a plurality of software modules, each software module having a driver (14a) associated therewith, and being configured, when activated, to performing a respective specified test by simulating a predetermined condition, generating at least one stimulation signal and receiving response data; - a plurality of adapter units (16), each adapter unit configured to connect between said central test unit and an associated unit under test (18) to facilitate data transfer between them, wherein each adapter unit is associated with a respective software module of said central test unit, each adapter unit further including a data storage module having stored therein operating data configured to activate a specified software module, including a respective controller of said central test unit when connected and said operational data is transferred to said central test unit, in use, and each of said adapter units is configured to effect data transfer between said specified software module, when activated, and said unit under test the same transmitting at least one stimulation signal received from said specified software module to said unit under test and transmitting said response data received from said unit under test to said specified software module, and - a user interface module (10) configured to output, in use, test data generated using said response data, - wherein each adapter unit comprises one or more physical connectors configured to connect said adapter unit to a respective unit under test. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said central test unit comprises three operational layers, wherein an interface between adjacent layers is defined to facilitate communication between them. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the central test unit comprises a first layer (10) supporting a configurable user interface, a second layer (12) including said plurality of software modules, and a third layer ( 14) that houses said plurality of controllers. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said third layer additionally contains a platform configuration file (14b) for receiving and/or storing data representative of said unit under test and data representative of at least one of said activated software modules. . Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said operational data stored in said data storage module comprises data representative of at least one software module to be activated, data defining a mapping of said activated software module to said unit central test unit and data defining a mapping of said unit under test to said central test unit. An avionics ground test system comprising an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said software test modules are each configured to perform an avionics ground test, and each said unit under test comprises a black box of avionics. A test apparatus adapter unit according to any of claims 1 to 5, or a system according to claim 6, comprising a housing having a first set of one or more external physical connectors configured to electrically connect said adapter unit to a specified unit under test, and a second set of one or more external physical connectors configured to electrically connect said adapter unit to said central test unit, said varvasa including a data storage element in which said operational data is stored. A unit according to claim 7, wherein the second set of one or more external physical connectors is configured to prevent incorrect mechanical connection of the adapter unit to said central test unit. A unit according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the second set of one or more external connectors is configured to restrict or prevent power transfer between said adapter unit and said central test unit, unless and until that said adapter unit is correctly connected to said central test unit. A unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second set of one or more external connectors comprises a two-phase blocking circuit, configured to prevent a connection incorrect mechanics of the adapter unit to said central test unit and/or monitor the integrity of a connection between said adapter unit and said central test unit and prevent power transfer between them unless they are correctly connected. A unit according to claim 10, wherein the second set of external connectors comprises a plurality of connector units, wherein each connector unit includes a blanking pin configured for connection to a specific respective socket of said central test unit.